Shania Twain made her mark because the host of the 2026 Academy of Nation Music Awards by paying homage to the ladies who got here earlier than her.
The singer, 60, helmed the 61st ACM Awards on the MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment in Las Vegas on Sunday, Might 17.
“Thanks Las Vegas. Thanks Lainey [Wilson] and congratulations in your wedding ceremony final Sunday. Like Lainey, I can’t sit nonetheless both as a result of I let you know I’m so stuffed with power and pleasure that I’m hosing the live performance of the 12 months for the primary time ever.”
She added, “Tonight the ACM awards are selecting Vegas, and I positive do love this city and nothing makes me happier than being with these wonderful stars sitting proper right here within the entrance.”
Twain then paid homage to a slew of nation music greats, together with ladies who hosted the annual occasion earlier than her: Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire.
Twain made her ACM Awards internet hosting debut this 12 months, taking up the function from McEntire.
Shania Twain speaks onstage throughout the 61st Academy of Nation Music Awards Getty Photographs
“I’m thrilled to be internet hosting the 61st ACM Awards in Las Vegas, a spot that seems like residence,” Twain stated in an April press launch. “It’s such an honor to be a part of this unbelievable night time celebrating nation music’s largest stars, particularly with so many proficient ladies main nominations this 12 months. I can’t wait to welcome the entire followers and artists out for this unforgettable night time.”
ACM CEO Damon Whiteside added on the time, “We’re honored to welcome international music celebrity Shania Twain as our host this 12 months. We couldn’t think about a extra excellent icon to comply with our earlier iconic hosts Dolly, Garth [Brooks] and Reba, mixing one of the vital vital nights in nation music with the joy of Las Vegas. Shania has a powerful historical past on the ACM Awards stage together with her win of the coveted ACM Entertainer of the 12 months trophy and receiving the ACM Poet’s Award honoring her prolific songwriting profession.”
All through her profession, Twain has gained 5 ACM Awards and acquired 14 nominations. Her previous accolades embody High New Feminine Vocalist and Album of the 12 months for The Girl in Me in 1996, the Double Diamond Award for The Girl in Me and Come on Over in 1999, Entertainer of the 12 months in 2000 and the Poet’s Award in 2022.
Days earlier than her ACMs internet hosting gig, Twain opened up about what she was trying ahead to on the awards present.
“It’s an opportunity for me to simply get again with all people,” she informed Billboard in an interview printed on Tuesday, Might 12. “It’s one of many uncommon moments after I get the possibility to see all people and meet up with a number of the newer artists. Lots of them I’ve not met but, and I’m excited to simply be among the many complete expertise of the ACMs.”
After internet hosting the Folks’s Selection Nation Awards in 2024, Twain introduced her earlier expertise to her ACM Awards function.
“I wish to put my very own persona into issues as a result of I’m a horrible reader. If I rely fully on the teleprompter, I’m undoubtedly going to stumble and get misplaced,” she defined. “I simply actually like having enjoyable and going with the move, moving into the joy that I’ll be sharing with the artists who’re performing and up for awards.”
Twain additionally revealed how McEntire, 71 — who has hosted the ACM Awards 18 occasions over time — impressed her method to overseeing the ceremony.
“With regards to Reba, she’s flawless,” she stated. “I’m undoubtedly extra of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type of particular person, very spontaneous, which makes it a special type and character to internet hosting one thing. However Reba is the whole lot. She’s humorous, she’s a fantastic actress, which makes her actually good at getting the move of talking and cadence. She’s only a professional.”
